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This study assessed the in vitro anthelmintic activity of ethyl acetate extract (Cn-EtOAc) and its bioactive fractions (CnR3 and CnR5) obtained from Chamaecrista nictitans aerial parts against two Haemonchus contortus (Hc) isolates, one resistant (strain HcIVM-R) and another susceptible (strain HcIVM-S) to ivermectin. Ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were identified in the bioactive fractions; therefore, their commercial standards were also assessed. A colocalization analysis between the ferulic acid commercial standard and eggs of the HcIVM-R strain was performed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the ImageJ program. The ovicidal effects of the Cn-EtOAc extract, bioactive fractions and commercial compounds were tested through the egg hatching inhibition (EHI) assay on H. contortus isolates HcIVM-R and HcIVM-S. The Cn-EtOAc caused 88â¯% and 92â¯% EHI at 5000⯵g/mL on HcIVM-R and HcIVM-S, respectively. Fractions CnR3 and CnR5 displayed the highest ovicidal activity against HcIVM-S, with effective concentrations (EC90) of 2134 and 601⯵g/mL, respectively. Meanwhile, the commercial standards ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid also resulted in higher effectiveness on the same strain, with EC90 of 57.5 and 51.1⯵g/mL. A colocalization analysis of ferulic acid and eggs of HcIVM-R revealed that this compound is localized to the cuticle surface of the embryo inside the egg parasite. The results demonstrated that both ferulic and p-coumaric acids interrupt the egg-hatching processes of the two Hc isolates. Both phenolic acids isolated from C. nictitans and commercial standards exhibited the best anthelmintic effect on HcIVM-S. These findings indicate that the phenolic acids were less effective in egg hatch inhibiting on the HcIVM-R strain compared to the HcIVM-S strain.
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Anti-Helmínticos , Ácidos Cumáricos , Haemonchus , Extratos Vegetais , Animais , Haemonchus/efeitos dos fármacos , Ácidos Cumáricos/farmacologia , Ácidos Cumáricos/química , Anti-Helmínticos/farmacologia , Anti-Helmínticos/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Óvulo/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The cefazolin inoculum effect (CzIE) has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with MSSA infections. We aimed to investigate the point prevalence of the CzIE among nasal colonizing MSSA isolates from ICU patients in a multicenter study in Colombia (2019-2023). Patients underwent nasal swabs to assess for S. aureus colonization on admission to the ICU and some individuals had follow-up swabs. We performed cefazolin MIC by broth-microdilution using standard and high-inoculum and developed a modified nitrocefin-based rapid test to detect the CzIE. Whole genome sequencing was carried out to characterize BlaZ types and allotypes, phylogenomics and Agr-typing. All swabs were subjected to 16S-rRNA metabarcoding sequencing to evaluate microbiome characteristics associated with the CzIE. A total of 352 patients were included; 46/352 (13%) patients were colonized with S. aureus; 22% (10/46) and 78% (36/46) with MRSA and MSSA, respectively. Among 36 patients that contributed with 43 MSSA colonizing isolates, 21/36 (58%) had MSSA exhibiting the CzIE. BlaZ type A and BlaZ-2 were the predominant type and allotype in 56% and 52%, respectively. MSSA belonging to CC30 were highly associated with the CzIE and SNP analyses supported transmission of MSSA exhibiting the CzIE among some patients of the same unit. The modified nitrocefin rapid test had 100%, 94.4% and 97.7% sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, respectively. We found a high prevalence point prevalence of the CzIE in MSSA colonizing the nares of critically-ill patients in Colombia. A modified rapid test was highly accurate in detecting the CzIE in this patient population.
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The application of machine learning (ML) techniques stands as a reliable method for aiding in the diagnosis of complex diseases. Recent studies have related the composition of the gut microbiota to the presence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but until now, the results have been mostly contradictory. This work proposes using machine learning to study the gut microbiome composition and its role in the early diagnosis of ASD. We applied support vector machines (SVMs), artificial neural networks (ANNs), and random forest (RF) algorithms to classify subjects as neurotypical (NT) or having ASD, using published data on gut microbiome composition. Naive Bayes, k-nearest neighbors, ensemble learning, logistic regression, linear regression, and decision trees were also trained and validated; however, the ones presented showed the best performance and interpretability. All the ML methods were developed using the SAS Viya software platform. The microbiome's composition was determined using 16S rRNA sequencing technology. The application of ML yielded a classification accuracy as high as 90%, with a sensitivity of 96.97% and specificity reaching 85.29%. In the case of the ANN model, no errors occurred when classifying NT subjects from the first dataset, indicating a significant classification outcome compared to traditional tests and data-based approaches. This approach was repeated with two datasets, one from the USA and the other from China, resulting in similar findings. The main predictors in the obtained models differ between the analyzed datasets. The most important predictors identified from the analyzed datasets are Bacteroides, Lachnospira, Anaerobutyricum, and Ruminococcus torques. Notably, among the predictors in each model, there is the presence of bacteria that are usually considered insignificant in the microbiome's composition due to their low relative abundance. This outcome reinforces the conventional understanding of the microbiome's influence on ASD development, where an imbalance in the composition of the microbiota can lead to disrupted host-microbiota homeostasis. Considering that several previous studies focused on the most abundant genera and neglected smaller (and frequently not statistically significant) microbial communities, the impact of such communities has been poorly analyzed. The ML-based models suggest that more research should focus on these less abundant microbes. A novel hypothesis explains the contradictory results in this field and advocates for more in-depth research to be conducted on variables that may not exhibit statistical significance. The obtained results seem to contribute to an explanation of the contradictory findings regarding ASD and its relation with gut microbiota composition. While some research correlates higher ratios of Bacillota/Bacteroidota, others find the opposite. These discrepancies are closely linked to the minority organisms in the microbiome's composition, which may differ between populations but share similar metabolic functions. Therefore, the ratios of Bacillota/Bacteroidota regarding ASD may not be determinants in the manifestation of ASD.
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Acacia bilimekii is a plant with a high content of protein, fibre, and condensed tannins, making it an excellent feed for small ruminants with anthelmintic potential. This study aimed to evaluate the ovicidal activity of a hydroalcoholic extract (Ab-HA) and fractions from A. bilimekii aerial parts on Haemonchus contortus. The ovicidal activity of the Ab-HA extract and its fractions obtained by chromatographic fractionation were evaluated through the egg hatching inhibition (EHI) test. The results showed that the Ab-HA extract had 91% EHI at 20,000 µg/mL with a mean effective concentration (EC50) of 9260 µg/mL. After liquid-liquid fractionation of Ab-HA extract, the aqueous fraction (Ab-Aq) did not show ovicidal activity, whereas the organic fraction (Ab-EtOAc) showed a better EHI than the Ab-HA extract (98.9% at 2500 µg/mL). Then, the chemical fractionation of Ab-EtOAc allowed obtaining six bioactive fractions (AbR12-17) with an EHI greater than 90% at 1500 µg/mL. The best treatment was AbR15 (98.7% EHI at 750 µg/mL). Chemical analysis by HPLC-PDA of AbR15 indicated the presence of p-coumaric acid and the flavone luteolin as major compounds. Additionally, the commercial p-coumaric acid standard was evaluated in the EHI assay and showed an EHI of 97% at 62.5 µg/mL. Meanwhile, the confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis demonstrated a colocalization effect between p-coumaric acid and the H. contortus embryonated eggs. These results indicate that due to their major chemical compounds (including p-coumaric acid), the aerial parts of the plant A. bilimekii, could be considered as natural potential tool for controlling haemonchosis in small ruminants.
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Acacia , Anti-Helmínticos , Haemonchus , Animais , Acacia/química , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/química , Óvulo , Anti-Helmínticos/farmacologia , Anti-Helmínticos/química , Larva , Componentes Aéreos da PlantaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Non-fermenting Gram-negative Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Burkholderia cepacia complex, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia species cause healthcare-associated infections, often showing resistance to first-line drugs such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SXT). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of curcumin-chitosan nanocomplexes on biofilm-producing clinical isolates of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli. METHODS: A. xylosoxidans, B. cepacia complex, and S. maltophilia clinical isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution. Curcumin (Cur), chitosan (Chi), and sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) were encapsulated by ionotropic gelation in magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). Biofilm inhibition and eradication by Cur-Chi-TPP-MNP with TMP-SXT was assessed. RESULTS: Cur-Chi-TPP-MNP in combination with TMP-SXT showed biofilm inhibition activity in A. xylosoxidans (37.5 µg/mL), B. cepacia (18.75 µg/mL), and S. maltophilia (4.69-18.75 µg/mL) and low biofilm eradication activity in all three strains (150 - 300 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Cur-Chi-TPP-MNP in combination with TMP-SXT was able to inhibit biofilm and in lower effect to eradicate established biofilms of clinical isolates of A. xylosoxidans, B. cepacia complex, and S. maltophilia species. Our results highlight the need to assess these potential treatment options to be used clinically in biofilm-associated infections.
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Achromobacter , Burkholderia , Quitosana , Curcumina , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas , Stenotrophomonas maltophilia , Humanos , Combinação Trimetoprima e Sulfametoxazol/farmacologia , Combinação Trimetoprima e Sulfametoxazol/uso terapêutico , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Curcumina/farmacologia , Stenotrophomonas , Quitosana/farmacologia , Quitosana/uso terapêutico , Biofilmes , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Estrogens that are used as contraceptives or in replacement therapy are associated with an increase in the risk for developing thrombosis, mainly during the first year of treatment and in women with associated risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize, characterize and identify the anticoagulant, antiplatelet aggregation and microvesicle-reducing effect of the new aminoestrogen Tyrame. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CD1 strain mice were used, which had Tyrame (0, 1 and 2 mg/100 g) subcutaneously administered. At 24 h, a blood sample was obtained to determine whole-blood clotting time, microvesicles concentration and inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. RESULTS: Blood clotting time increased up to 1.5 times in comparison with the control. Platelet aggregation inhibition had different magnitude depending on the agonist agent employed, and was complete with collagen. Both effects had a dose-dependent relationship. The microvesicles decreased up to six times with respect to the control. CONCLUSIONS: Tyrame reduces platelet aggregation and microvesicle formation, which emphasizes its potential therapeutic utility as an estrogen free of thrombotic effects.
ANTECEDENTES: Los estrógenos empleados como anticonceptivos o en la terapia de sustitución se asocian a un incremento en el riesgo de desarrollar trombosis, principalmente durante el primer año de tratamiento y en mujeres con factores de riesgo asociados. OBJETIVO: Sintetizar, caracterizar e identificar el efecto anticoagulante, antiagregante plaquetario y reductor de las microvesículas del nuevo aminoestrógeno tyrame. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se emplearon ratones cepa CD1 a los que se les administró por vía subcutánea tyrame (0, 1 y 2 mg/100 g). A las 24 h se tomó una muestra de sangre para determinar el tiempo de coagulación en sangre total, la concentración de microvesículas y el efecto inhibidor de la agregación plaquetaria. RESULTADOS: El tiempo de coagulación en sangre se incrementó hasta 1.5 veces con respecto al control. La inhibición de la agregación plaquetaria tuvo diferente magnitud dependiendo del agente agonista, siendo completa con colágena. Ambos efectos siguieron una relación dependiente de la dosis. Las microvesículas disminuyeron hasta seis veces con respecto al control. CONCLUSIONES: el tyrame disminuye la agregación plaquetaria y la formación de microvesículas, lo que acentúa su posible utilidad terapéutica como un estrógeno sin efectos trombóticos.
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Fibrinolíticos , Trombose , Animais , Anticoagulantes , Fibrinolíticos/farmacologia , Camundongos , Fenetilaminas/farmacologia , Agregação PlaquetáriaRESUMO
In this study we focused on urban bird diversity across Mexico, a megadiverse country, with a special focus on the relative role of urban greenspaces and heavily-built sites. We considered a country-wide approach, including 24 different sized Mexican cities. Our aims were to describe the urban bird diversity in focal cities and further assess the relationships between it and the biogeographic region where cities are located, their size, elevation, and annual rainfall. Additionally, we evaluated differences in the functional composition of bird communities in both studied urban scenarios (i.e., urban greenspaces, heavily-built sites). Our results confirm that urban greenspaces are home to a large proportion of species when contrasted with heavily-built sites. While total species richness and species richness of greenspaces were related with the cities' biogeographic region -with higher species richness in the Neotropical region and Transition Zone-, the relationship did not hold true in heavily-built sites. We found that annual rainfall was negatively related to bird richness in heavily-built sites, suggesting that species from arid systems can be more tolerant to urbanization. Regarding the bird functional group assessment, results show a clear differentiation between the functional groups of greenspaces and those of heavily-built sites, with granivores and omnivores associated with the latter and a highly diverse array of functional groups associated with urban greenspaces.
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Biodiversidade , Aves , Animais , Cidades , Ecossistema , México , UrbanizaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although return of function has been reported in patients undergoing proximal forearm transplantations (PFTs), reports of long-term function are limited. In this study, we evaluated the clinical progress and function 7 years postoperatively in a patient who underwent bilateral PFT. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old man underwent bilateral PFT in May 2012. Transplantation involved all of the flexor and extensor muscles of the forearm. Neurorrhaphies of the median, ulnar, and radial nerves were epineural and 7 cm proximal to the elbow. Immunosuppressive maintenance medications during the first 3 years postoperatively were tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and steroids, and later, tacrolimus, sirolimus, and steroids. Forearm function was evaluated annually using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; Carroll; Hand Transplantation Score System; Short Form-36; and Kapandji scales. We also evaluated his grip and pinch force. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the patient developed hypertriglyceridemia and systemic hypertension. He experienced 6 acute rejections, and none were resistant to steroids. Motor function findings in his right/left hand were: grip strength: 10/13 kg; key pinch: 3/3 kg; Kapandji score: 6/9 of 10; Carroll score: 66/80; Hand Transplantation Score System score: 90/94. His preoperative Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 50 versus 18, postoperatively; his Short Form-36 score was 90. This function improved in relation with the function reported in the second year. CONCLUSIONS: Seven years following PFT, the patient gained limb strength with a functional elbow and wrist, although with diminished digital dexterity and sensation. Based on data presented by other programs and our own experience, PFT is indicated for select patients.
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Antebraço/inervação , Antebraço/cirurgia , Sobrevivência de Enxerto , Transplante de Órgãos , Avaliação da Deficiência , Rejeição de Enxerto/tratamento farmacológico , Rejeição de Enxerto/imunologia , Humanos , Imunossupressores/administração & dosagem , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Atividade Motora , Força Muscular , Recuperação de Função Fisiológica , Sensação , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Resumen La pérdida de alimentos a lo largo de la cadena de suministro se ha convertido en un tema de gran interés en el mundo, debido a que afecta la seguridad alimentaria de la sociedad. Uno de estos eslabones de la cadena de distribución de alimentos son las centrales de abasto local, donde diariamente se pierden importantes cantidades de alimentos especialmente por carencia de protocolos de poscosecha. El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en analizar la pérdida de alimentos en la central de abastos del municipio de Acacias, Colombia y evaluar el sistema de compostaje como alternativa de gestión ambiental. Se realizó mediante el método de cuarteo la estimación de la cantidad y tipo de residuos desperdiciados, que posteriormente se sometieron al proceso de compostaje donde se evaluó la calidad del producto. En conclusión, los residuos orgánicos son un problema ambiental que requiere de alternativas como el compostaje, que permite reducir la cantidad y aprovechar el contenido nutricional de la fracción orgánica, generando subproductos con alto valor agregado.
Abstract The loss of food along the supply chain has become a topic of great interest in the world, because this affect to the food security of society. One of these stages in the food distribution chain are the local supply centers, where important quantities of food are often lost, especially due to the lack of post-harvest protocols. The objective of this study was to analyze the loss of food in the supply center of the municipalities of Acacias, Colombia and evaluate the composting system as an alternative for environmental management. It was carried out by means of the quartering method the estimation of the quantity and type of residues lost, and subsequently, the composting process, where the quality of the product is evaluated. In conclusion, organic residues is an environmental problem that requires alternatives such as composting, which allows to reduce the amount and take advantage of the nutritional content of organic matter, generating by-products with high added value.
Resumo A perdida de alimentos ao longo da cadeia de fornecimento converteu-se em um tema de grande interesse no mundo, como isto afeta a segurança alimentar da sociedade. Um destes elos da cadeia de distribuição de alimentos são as centrais de abastecimento locais, onde diariamente se perdem importantes quantidades de alimentos especialmente por carência de protocolos de pós-colheita. O objetivo do presente estudo consistiu em analisar a perdida de alimentos na central de abastecimento do município de Acacias, Colômbia e avaliar o sistema de compostagem como alternativa de gerenciamento ambiental. Realizou-se mediante o método de cuarteo a estimativa da quantidade e tipo de resíduos perdidos, que posteriormente se submeteram ao processo de compostagem onde se avaliou a qualidade do produto. Em conclusão, os resíduos orgânicos são um problema ambiental que requer de alternativas como o compostagem, que permite reduzir a quantidade e aproveitar o conteúdo nutricional da fração orgânica, gerando subprodutos com alto valor agregado.
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Resumen El recurso suelo oferta servicios ecosistémicos fundamentales entre las que se resaltan el soporte para la producción de alimentos y su importancia en la mitigación de los efectos del cambio climático debido a la dinámica del carbono. Sin embargo, actividades antrópicas como la densificación urbana, la industrialización y principalmente la agricultura aportan elementos como metales pesados, responsables de la degradación del suelo en algunas regiones del planeta. Naturalmente los suelos en su base geoquímica contienen metales pesados, en la mayoría de las regiones éstas concentraciones no representan riesgo ambiental. En este sentido, el propósito de la presente investigación fue recopilar los estudios de metales pesados desarrollados en sistemas de producción agrícola en Colombia para establecer una línea base, que permita identificar necesidades futuras de investigación en esta temática. Entre los resultados encontrados, se identificó que los metales pesados estudiados en el país son Cd>Pb>Hg>Cr>Ni>Cu=Zn=As>Mn>Fe, destacándose el Cd, Pb, Hg y Cr. Sin embargo en Colombia la producción científica en la que son relacionados los metales pesados en la producción agrícola (suelo, cultivos o insumo) es relativamente baja. Asimismo, estos trabajos se localizan en la región central del país, evidenciando que regiones como la Orinoquia considerada como la frontera y despensa agrícola del país, únicamente se reportan tres estudios que fueron publicados en los últimos años. Finalmente con esto se resalta la importancia de generar investigaciones en valores de referencia para estos elementos en los suelos colombianos, que permitan establecer programas de monitoreo y de evaluación en posibles casos de contaminación.
Abstract The soil resource offers fundamental ecosystem services, among which stand out the support for food production and its importance in mitigating the effects of climate change due to carbon dynamics. However, anthropic activities such as urbandensification, industrialization and mainly agriculture contribute elements such as heavy metals, responsible for soil degradation in some regions of the planet. Naturally the soils in their geochemical base contain heavy metals, in the majority of the regions these concentrations do not represent environmental risk. In this sense, the purpose of the present investigation was to compile the studies of heavy metals developed in agricultural production systems in Colombia to establish a baseline, which allows identifying future research needs in this subject. Among the results found, it was identified that the heavy metals studied in the country are Cd> Pb> Hg> Cr> Ni> Cu = Zn = As> Mn> Fe, highlighting Cd, Pb, Hg and Cr. However in Colombia The scientific production in which heavy metals are related to agricultural production (soil, crops or inputs) is relatively low. Also, these works are located in the central region of the country, evidencing that regions such as the Orinoquia considered as the border and agricultural pantry of the country, only three studies that were published in recent years are reported. Finally, this highlights the importance of generating research on reference values for these elements in Colombian soils, which allow the establishment of monitoring and evaluation programs in possible cases of contamination
Resumo O recurso solo oferece serviços ecossistêmicos fundamentais entre as que se realçam o suporte para a produção de alimentos e sua importância na mitigação dos efeitos da mudança climática devido à dinâmica do carbono. No entanto, atividades antrópicas como a densificação urbana, a industrialização e principalmente a agricultura contribuem elementos como metais pesados, responsáveis pela degradação do solo em algumas regiões do planeta. Naturalmente os solos em sua base geoquímica contêm metais pesados, na maioria das regiões estas concentrações não representam risco ambiental. Neste sentido, o propósito da presente investigação foi recopilar os estudos de metais pesados desenvolvidos em sistemas de produção agrícola em Colômbia para estabelecer uma linha base, que permita identificar necessidades futuras de investigação nesta temática. Entre os resultados encontrados, identificou-se que os metais pesados estudados no país são Cd>Pb>Hg>Cr>Nem>Cu=Zn=As>Mn>Fé, se destacando o Cd, Pb, Hg e Cr. No entanto em Colômbia a produção científica na que são relacionados os metais pesados na produção agrícola (solo, cultivos ou insumo) é relativamente baixa. Assim mesmo, estes trabalhos localizam-se na região central do país, evidenciando que regiões como a Orinoquia considerada como a fronteira e despensa agrícola do país, unicamente reportam-se três estudos que foram publicados nos últimos anos. Finalmente com isto se realça a importância de gerar investigações em valores de referência para estes elementos nos solos colombianos, que permitam estabelecer programas de monitorização e de avaliação em possíveis casos de contaminação.
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Gene expression can be modified by physical factors, such as heat, electricity and magnetic fields , and several types of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Promoter activation with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields is possible with an appropriate promoter, containing electromagnetic field response elements. Here, we describe how to examine promoter activation with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields, and we provide a step-by-step guide to the assembly of a solenoid suitable for promoter activation.
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Campos Eletromagnéticos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Transfecção/métodos , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Eletroporação/métodos , Vetores Genéticos/genética , Células HeLa , Humanos , Luciferases/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB CRESUMO
The chitinase gene was molecularly characterized in five Bacillus thuringiensis Mexican isolates, MR10, MR11, MR21, MR33, and RN52. The proteins derived from these genes were tested for their chitinase activity using fluorogenic chitin derivatives. In order to verify if chitinase genes were functional, they were cloned, and enzymatic activity of recombinant chitinases was also tested. Results indicated that enzymes exhibited endochitinase activity. The highest hydrolytic activity shown against the chitin tetrameric derivative occurred at pH value of 6.5, and the optimum activity temperature was around 60 °C. The recombinant endochitinases showed a molecular mass of â¼77 kDa with isoelectric points from 6.5 to 7.0. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences showed highly conserved sequences among all isolates (97-99 %). Gene sequence analysis revealed a putative promoter (-35 TTGAGA and -10 TTAATA) and a Shine-Dalgarno sequence (5´-AGGAGA-3´) upstream from the open reading frame. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed that the proteins are modular enzymes composed by a family 18 glycosyl hydrolase domain located between amino acids 134 and 549, a fibronectin-binding domain (580 through 656), and a chitin-binding domain (664 through 771). The deduced amino acid sequences of our isolates showed a similarity close to 100 % respect to the sequences reported in the GenBank database.
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Bacillus thuringiensis/enzimologia , Bacillus thuringiensis/genética , Quitina/metabolismo , Quitinases/genética , Quitinases/metabolismo , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Bacillus thuringiensis/isolamento & purificação , Sítios de Ligação , Quitinases/química , Clonagem Molecular , DNA Bacteriano/química , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Estabilidade Enzimática , Expressão Gênica , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Ponto Isoelétrico , México , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Peso Molecular , Fases de Leitura Aberta , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Alinhamento de Sequência , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos , TemperaturaRESUMO
Exposure to EMFs (electromagnetic fields) results in a number of important biological changes, including modification of genetic expression. We have investigated the effect of 60 Hz sinusoidal EMFs at a magnetic flux density of 80 µT on the expression of the luciferase gene contained in a plasmid labelled as pEMF (EMF plasmid). This gene construct contains the specific sequences for the induction of hsp70 (heat-shock protein 70) expression by EMFs, as well as the reporter for the luciferase gene. The pEMF vector was electrotransferred into quadriceps muscles of BALB/c mice that were later exposed to EMFs. Increased luciferase expression was observed in mice exposed to EMFs 2 h daily for 7 days compared with controls (P<0.05). These data along with other reports in the literature suggest that EMFs can have far-reaching effects on the genome.
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The influence of low-frequency electromagnetic (LF-EM) waves on microorganisms has been a subject of experimental investigations for more than two decades and the results are promising. In parallel, an interesting procedure known as biophysical-information-therapy or bioresonance therapy (BRT) which in principle is based on LF-EM stimulation, has emerged. BRT was discovered in the late 1980's but it is still poorly studied. This paper demonstrates that by transferring metronidazole information to water samples by an electronic amplifier (BRT device), the growth of axenically cultured trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonasvaginalis is significantly inhibited, compared with those cultures treated with non and sham electro-transferred water samples. A positive control of metronidazole, a well-known cytotoxic drug against parasites, was used as a reference.
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Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Entamoeba histolytica/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Metronidazol/farmacologia , Radiossensibilizantes/farmacologia , Trichomonas vaginalis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Água/química , Bioensaio , Entamoeba histolytica/efeitos dos fármacos , Entamoeba histolytica/efeitos da radiação , Radiação , Trichomonas vaginalis/efeitos dos fármacos , Trichomonas vaginalis/efeitos da radiação , Água/farmacologiaRESUMO
La transmisión del virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) a través de la sangre constituye un problema de salud en Cuba y el mundo. Varios tipos de inmunoensayos diagnosticadores se han desarrollado para la certificación de sangre y generalmente cuentan con una elevada sensibilidad y especificidad diagnóstica en donantes sanos. Sin embargo, su comportamiento en muestras de pacientes multitransfundidos podría ser menos eficaz. Para evaluar la eficacia diagnóstica del inmunoensayo cubano UMELISA HCV 3er Gen. (TecnoSUMA SA, La Habana, Cuba) en muestras de pacientes multitransfundidos, se procesaron en paralelo 335 sueros de pacientes por los sistemas UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 (United Biomedical, EE.UU.) y UMELISA HCV 3er Gen., y las muestras con resultados incongruentes se confirmaron por el sistema de PCR COBAS AmpliScreen HCV Test, v2. (Roche, EE.UU.). Cuando se comparó el sistema UMELISA HCV 3er Gen. con el UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 se obtuvo una Sd de 95,8 % IC (95 %): 92,599,15 y Ed de 100 % IC (95 %): 99,7-100, con IY: 0,96 (0,93-0,99). k: 0,9582 ID (95 %): 0,9276-0,9888, p=0,000. Ambos sistemas de inmunoensayos fueron satisfactorios para el inmunodiagnóstico de pacientes multitransfundidos.
Hepatitis C virus (CHV) blood-transmission is a health problem in Cuba and in the world. Some types of diagnostic immunoassays have been developed for the blood certification and in general have a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in healthy donors. However, its behavior in samples from multi-transfusion patients could by less effective. To assess the diagnostic effectiveness of the UMELISA HCV third generation Cuban immunoassay (TecnoSUMA, S.A. La Habana), Cuba) in samples from multi-transfusion patients, in parallel, 335 sera from patients were processed by UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 (United Biomedical, EE.UU) and UMELISA HCV third generation, and the samples with incongruous results were verified by PCR COBAS AmpliScreen HCV Test, v2 system (Roche, EE.UU.) Comparing the UMELISA HCV third generation system with the UBI® HCV EIA 4.0 it was achieved a Sd of 95,8% CI(95%): 92,5-99,15 and a Ed of 100% CI (95%): 99,7-100, with IY: 0,96 (0,93-0,99) with k: 0,0582 ID (95%): 0,9276-0,9888, p = 0,000. Both immunoassay systems were satisfactory for immunodiagnosis of multi-transfusion patients.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer development from a squamous intraepithelial lesion is thought to be favored by an impaired T cell immunity. We evaluated parameters of T cell alterations such as proliferation, cytokine, and CD3zeta expression in peripheral blood and tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes from women with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) or cervical cancer (CC). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: T cell proliferation and cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were similar in women with SIL and healthy donors, whereas low T cell proliferation and lower mRNA expression of IL-2, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were observed in women with CC. Moreover, infiltrating cells showed marginal responses. We also found that CD3zeta mRNA expression, whose protein is required for T cell activation, correlated with a decreased proliferation in advanced stages of the disease. CONCLUSION: Experiments with T cells from healthy donors in the presence TGF-beta1 or IL-10 suggest that these cytokines have a relevant role in T cell responses during CC progression.
Assuntos
Complexo CD3/biossíntese , Interleucina-10/imunologia , Linfócitos do Interstício Tumoral/imunologia , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/imunologia , Displasia do Colo do Útero/imunologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Complexo CD3/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Meios de Cultivo Condicionados/farmacologia , Feminino , Células HeLa , Humanos , Interferon gama/imunologia , Interferon gama/metabolismo , Interleucina-10/farmacologia , Interleucina-2/imunologia , Linfócitos do Interstício Tumoral/efeitos dos fármacos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fito-Hemaglutininas/farmacologia , Linfócitos T/efeitos dos fármacos , Fator de Crescimento Transformador beta1/farmacologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/patologia , Displasia do Colo do Útero/patologiaRESUMO
We have evaluated the effect of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (MF) at 8 and 8 microT on expression of the luciferase gene contained in a gene construct labelled as Electromagnetic Field-plasmid (pEMF). The vector included the hsp70 promotor containing the 3 nCTCTn sequences previously described for the induction of hsp70 expression by magnetic fields, as well as the reporter of the luciferase gene. We also replicated the study of Lin et al. [Lin H, Blank M, Rossol-Haseroth K, Goodman R. Regulating genes with electromagnetic response elements. J Cell Biochem 2001;81(1):143-48]. The pEMF plasmid was transfected into HeLa and BMK16 cell lines that were later exposed to either MF or thermal shock (TS). An increased luciferase expression was found in both the cells exposed to MF and TS compared with their control groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the combined effect of MF and TS was also analyzed. A synergistic effect between two factors was observed for this co-exposure condition in terms of luciferase gene expression.
Assuntos
Campos Eletromagnéticos , Expressão Gênica , Proteínas de Choque Térmico HSP70/genética , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas , Animais , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Genes Reporter , Células HeLa , Humanos , Luciferases/biossíntese , Camundongos , Proteínas Recombinantes/biossíntese , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismoRESUMO
The present study was performed to determine IL-10 expression in cervical tissues in Mexican women according to the severity of the malignity and its association with HPV infection. IL-10 expression showed a clear tendency to increase during the different cervical cancer stages: 37% in LGSIL; 62% in HGSIL; and 84% in cancer. However, all the patients that expressed IL-10 were HPV positives; we found an association with HPV 16. These results suggest a clear relationship between IL-10, HPV and the stage of cervical cancer disease; this event could contribute to the immunosuppressive micro-environment in the tumor site.
Assuntos
Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Interleucina-10/genética , Infecções por Papillomavirus/complicações , Infecções por Papillomavirus/imunologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/genética , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/patologia , Primers do DNA , DNA de Neoplasias/genética , DNA de Neoplasias/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Humanos , México , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Infecções por Papillomavirus/epidemiologia , Prevalência , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Neoplásico/genética , RNA Neoplásico/isolamento & purificação , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/complicações , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/imunologiaRESUMO
Exposure to extremely low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields appears to result in a number of important biological changes. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of 60 Hz sinusoidal magnetic fields (MF) at magnetic flux densities of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mT on growth and differentiation of the protozoan Entamoeba invadens. We demonstrated an inhibitory growth effect when trophozoite cultures were exposed to 1.5 and 2.0 mT. Furthermore, we found that there was not a synergistic effect in cultures co-exposed to MF and Metronidazole, a cytotoxic drug against amoebic cells. In addition, MF exposure inhibited the encystation process of E. invadens.
Assuntos
Campos Eletromagnéticos , Entamoeba/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Entamoeba/efeitos da radiação , Animais , Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Relação Dose-Resposta à Radiação , Entamoeba/efeitos dos fármacos , Entamoeba/fisiologia , Dose Letal Mediana , Metronidazol/farmacologia , Distribuição AleatóriaRESUMO
In this study, we determined the adjuvant effects of the crystal (Cry) proteins, p130, p98, and p64-62, on the immune response of mice to both sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and ovalbumin (OVA). The administration of p130, p98, and p64-62 Cry proteins to Balb/c mice induced a significant (p<0.01) increase in the production of anti-SRBC antibody-secreting cells (ASC). The p64-62 Cry proteins demonstrated the best ability to induce the production of IgA and IgG antibodies to SRBC (p<0.05), and IgM, IgA, and IgG antibodies to OVA (p<0.05). Additionally, Cry proteins did not produce any side effects associated with their administration to Balb/c mice. We suggest the potential use of the p64-62 Cry proteins as adjuvants for the administration of heterologous antigens.